Factfinder
A-Z of herbal remedies
Chaste berry
Background:
Chaste berry or agnus castus products use the whole fruit, making standardised extracts for tablet and capsule preparation.
Uses:
It is used to treat menstrual disorders, menopausal symptoms and some forms of acne.
Chaste Berry may also get periods back to normal and treat types of acne caused by hormone imbalance.
It may help menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, dryness, dizziness and depression. It could become an alternative to HRT, but more testing is needed to confirm its effectiveness.
Chaste Berry appears to work by restoring the normal hormone balance by some indirect means. One possibility is that it may reduce the release of prolactin from the pituitary gland.
Dose:
Doses depend on manufacturer's advice, but it doesn't work quickly. It can take at least two weeks to have any effect on PMS, and may even take more than three months to give the best results.
Safety:
Side effects are rare. A few patients complain of gastrointestinal upsets or minor skin rashes. It lacks the side effects of steroid treatment sometimes used for menstrual problems.
Don't take agnus castus along with the birth control pill or hormone treatments. It may interfere with the actions of the hormones.
Note:
PMS (premenstrual syndrome) is the name of a group of symptoms that start 7 to 14 days before a period and stop soon after the period begins. Most women feel some discomfort before their periods but those with PMS may feel so anxious, depressed or uncomfortable that they can't cope at home or at work.